Trinidad And Tobago Festival Kicks Off On Sunday With Fun, Food And Dancing

September 1, 2001|By Dwayne Campbell Staff Writer

LAUDERHILL — It dwarfs in comparison to the entrenched Trinidad and Tobago annual carnival that brings tens of thousands of revelers to the twin-island nation.

Still, in its third year, the Trinidad and Tobago Multicultural Day, the local celebration of the islands' 1962 independence from British rule, has become the premier Trinidadian event in Broward County.

"We have the atmosphere of carnival, but this is more about showcasing the multicultural aspects of Trinidad and other Caribbean islands," said Dennis Hardial, president of the organizing group, Caribbean National Cultural Association.

And veteran soca singer Leon Coldero, former lead singer with the band Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, is back again. This time the Trinidad native, who now lives in Orlando, is backed by his new band, Code 868.

There will also be an array of ethnic foods -- including roti and phulorie -- arts and crafts, and lots of music.

"It's a celebration of Trinidad's independence but it's also a day to celebrate the culture of the region," Hardial said. "Trinidad has people from everywhere."

In the past two years, the ethnic potpourri attending the festival proves Hardial's point.

Trinidadians, or Trinis as they are sometimes called, are mostly of African or Indian descent. But the island has become home to an even greater array of people. Many have settled in Coral Springs and Miami enclaves. The festival has also attracted Trinidadians from West Palm Beach, Orlando and even from the Caribbean.

"Culturally, Trinidad is one of the most cosmopolitan countries in the world," said Diane Galloway, a Trinidadian now living in Lauderdale Lakes. She also owns Herbal Gardens in Lauderhill Mall.

"In Trinidad we have extensive celebrations. This [festival] brings back memories of home," added Galloway, who has also lived in New York but moved to Florida in 1973. "This is a means for all of us [Trinidadians] to meet in one place and share with other [cultures], let them know that we're now a part of them and they're a part of us."

Estimates of the number of people from Trinidad and Tobago now living in South Florida range from 15,000 to 20,000. And many of those people want to participate in the multicultural and independence celebration.

Sheila Sawh, who owns Joy's Roti Delight with her husband, Joy, at Lauderhill Mall, says her phone has been busy with people calling to get involved in the festival. The restaurant, the Sun-Sentinel and the Cultural Association are the festival's sponsors.

"Yesterday I had about 15 callers who wanted to be vendors, performers, steel band drummers," Sheila Sawh said. "And they're not even asking for money. They just want to be a part of the celebration."

Dwayne Campbell can be reached at dcampbell@sun-sentinel.com or 954-572-2004.